NFL roundup: Giants unable to clinch playoff berth

PHILADELPHIA — The New York Giants will have to wait a while to make the playoffs.

Malcolm Jenkins had the second two-interception game of his eight-year career, returning one for a touchdown, and the Philadelphia Eagles snapped a five-game slide by beating the Giants 24-19 on Thursday night.

The loss also handed Dallas the NFC East title – and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

It also put the Giants (10-5) in a more difficult spot for ending their four-season playoff drought. They still own the top wild-card position heading into their finale at Washington.

New York can still get in this weekend if Detroit, Green Bay, Tampa Bay or Atlanta loses.

Carson Wentz threw a touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor, then returned from being examined for a concussion in the fourth quarter to guide a drive to set up Caleb Sturgis’ 41-yard field goal. After New York’s Robbie Gould made his fourth field goal, Philadelphia (5-9) held on downs with just under two minutes remaining.

The Giants got the ball back with 1:31 left and Terrence Brooks intercepted to clinch it with five seconds to go.

Eli Manning was inconsistent with his throws all night. On Jenkins’ second interception, the throw was woefully short.

Indeed, the Giants came up short because they fell behind early and didn’t catch up.

Right tackle Lane Johnson’s return from a 10-game suspension paid dividends immediately. Twice Johnson wiped out the left side of New York’s defensive line, with his block helping spring Darren Sproles for a 25-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

It was 14-0 1:28 later when Manning’s short pass to Will Tye was way too soft. Jenkins cut in front of the tight end, then romped down the right side for a 34-yard score.

The current Giants offense isn’t built for big comebacks, and now New York needed one. Manning hit Odell Beckham Jr. on a 30-yard play that highlighted an 80-yard drive to Gould’s 35-yard field goal. But Manning also made two inaccurate throws in that series.

It was that way all night.

Gould’s 35-yard field goal brought the Giants closer. Then Wentz found the seldom-used Agholor wide open for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-6 edge.

Manning finally found his touch on the last drive of the half, with a gorgeous 29-yard connection to Victor Cruz keying an 84-yard drive. Sterling Shepard slipped past Jenkins’ bump at the line to score from 13 yards for a 21-13 deficit.

It was all field goals in the second half – and some more imprecise throws by Manning.

SEAHAWKS: Coach Pete Carroll said he was surprised by the combative comments of cornerback Richard Sherman earlier this week.

Carroll said Thursday he believed Sherman would have expressed remorse or apologized for his sideline outburst in last Thursday’s game against Los Angeles. Sherman yelled at Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell for the decision to have Russell Wilson throw a pass from the 1-yard line that was nearly intercepted.

During his weekly availability Tuesday, Sherman did not back down from his stance and offered no apologies. Sherman also threatened to “ruin” the career of a radio reporter as he left the room, a comment he later apologized for on Twitter.

“I was a little surprised. I just think, like he said, you guys got after him pretty good and it got to him a little bit and didn’t really maybe get everything out in the way that he wanted to,” Carroll said. “We’ve been together throughout the week to make sure that everything is in the right place for us. We’re fine here.”

FALCONS: Coach Dan Quinn said wide receiver Julio Jones will play Saturday at Carolina after missing two games with a toe sprain.

Jones’ return was expected after he ran full speed at Wednesday’s practice.

Despite missing two games, Jones still leads the NFL with 1,253 yards receiving.

The Falcons (9-5) can clinch the NFC South by beating the Panthers if Tampa Bay loses or ties at New Orleans.

RAMS: Rookie quarterback Jared Goff is expected to start for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday after clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Interim coach John Fassel said Goff will start for the Rams (4-10) against the San Francisco 49ers (1-13).

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